Question 1

I need help immediately. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, are in severe distress, or feel that you cannot keep yourself safe right now, please immediately reach out to any of the following free, confidential, 24/7 resources, or go straight to your local hospital:Emergency Services: Call 911 or go directly to the nearest hospital emergency room Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988 for immediate, bilingual crisis support anywhere in Canada.The Mental Health Crisis Line (Ottawa/Local): Call 613-722-6914 (within Ottawa) or 1-866-996-0991 (across Eastern Ontario) to speak with a local crisis counselor right away.Counselling Connect: Not a crisis service, but to access free, quick-access phone or video counseling sessions for children, youth, adults, and families living in Ottawa and the surrounding regions, visit counsellingconnect.org. Your safety is the absolute priority. Please connect with these resources first while you wait for an email response from us. We operate on an appointment basis and cannot provide immediate crisis support.

Question 2

How much does therapy cost, and what do your fees cover?

Accepted Answer

Our standard session fees are structured by the designation of your therapist:Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) / RP (Qualifying): $160 per 50-minute session.Registered Psychotherapist / RP: $170 per 50-minute session.
When you invest in a session, that fee covers far more than just the time you spend talking with your therapist. It also directly funds the behind-the-scenes clinical framework that keeps your care safe and high-quality: required clinical supervision, continuous specialized training and education, professional registration fees, secure practice management software, clinic administration, advertising, insurance, and maintaining a comfortable physical space.

Question 3

Do you offer virtual therapy?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We offer fully virtual video and phone sessions for individuals and couples across Ontario. All of our online sessions are hosted through Owl Practice, a secure, fully encrypted platform that strictly complies with Canadian privacy legislation (PHIPA). You don’t need to download any complicated software to join, you simply click a secure link sent to your email before your session.

Question 4

Where are you located for in-person sessions?

Accepted Answer

Our physical office is located in Orléans at 210 Centrum Boulevard, Suite 206. The building features free surface parking, is easily accessible by public transit, and is completely wheelchair accessible, including elevator access to the second floor and accessible washrooms.

Question 5

How do I book a free consultation, and what should I expect?

Accepted Answer

We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to help you explore if we are the right fit for your needs. You can easily book this by emailing us directly at info@charrontherapy.com or by filling out the contact form on our website.Our administration team typically responds within the same business day. If you reach out over weekends or statutory holidays, please expect a slightly longer delay—we will get back to you first thing on the next business day.

Question 6

What actually happens during the first official appointment?

Accepted Answer

The first session is primarily an "intake and assessment" space, but it’s entirely conversational. There is no pressure to dive into your deepest vulnerabilities right away. Instead, your therapist will review the intake paperwork with you, clarify boundaries like confidentiality, and help you map out your history and what has been feeling heavy lately. It is a collaborative session dedicated to establishing comfort, building trust, and starting to outline a few flexible goals and treatment plans for your care.

Question 7

How do I know if therapy is actually right for me?

Accepted Answer

You don’t have to be in the middle of a massive crisis for therapy to be valuable. Therapy is a supportive tool for anyone experiencing distress from feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or noticing that their usual ways of coping aren't quite working anymore. If you find yourself caught in repetitive loops of anxiety, navigating a stressful life transition, feeling disconnected in your relationships, or simply wanting to build greater self-awareness and psychological flexibility, therapy can provide a safe, objective space to figure things out.

Question 8

How long does a typical therapy process last?

Accepted Answer

Because therapy is tailored entirely to your unique life, there is no set expiration date or mandatory timeline.For some clients, a short-term, focused approach of a few months is exactly what they need to navigate a specific life transition or build a specific set of tools. Other clients prefer ongoing, long-term support as a regular space for self-reflection and continuous personal growth. Right from the start and throughout our work together, we will openly collaborate with you to ensure our pacing always aligns with your goals and your budget.

Question 9

When can I expect to start noticing a difference or improvement?

Accepted Answer

While meaningful change is a gradual and non-linear process, many clients begin to feel a sense of relief or greater clarity within the first few sessions simply from having a safe, dedicated space to vent and unpack their thoughts.In terms of actionable progress, our goal is to provide you with practical, sustainable tools early on so you can begin experimenting with small shifts in your day-to-day life right away. True psychological flexibility takes time to build, but you should feel a sense of collaboration and active direction from your very first appointments.

Question 10

How do I know which therapist is the right fit for me?

Accepted Answer

The relationship between you and your therapist is the most important part of therapy. Our Associates come from diverse backgrounds and educational paths. When you first reach out, we can make a personalized recommendation based on your specific challenges and goals. You are also welcome to browse our team profiles on our website and on Psychology Today to see who resonates with you.

Question 11

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

We value your time and our clinicians' schedules. We require 24 hours' notice for any session cancellations or changes. Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice are subject to the full session fee.

Question 12

Are your services covered by insurance?

Accepted Answer

Many extended health insurance plans cover services provided by a Registered Psychotherapist (RP) or Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). Because every insurance policy is different, we highly recommend contacting your provider beforehand to confirm your specific coverage details.

Question 13

Is what I share in therapy completely confidential?

Accepted Answer

Yes, privacy is a cornerstone of the therapeutic relationship, and creating a safe, secure space for you to speak openly is our absolute priority. Under Ontario’s privacy legislation (Personal Health Information Protection Act, or PHIPA), everything you discuss with your therapist, your written records, and even your attendance at our clinic is kept strictly confidential. We will never share your information with an employer, family member, or third party without your explicit, written consent.However, as Registered Psychotherapists in Ontario, we have legal and ethical obligations where confidentiality must be broken to ensure safety. These rare exceptions include:
Imminent Risk of Harm: If there are reasonable grounds to believe you are at imminent risk of seriously hurting yourself, or causing serious bodily harm to someone else.
Child Protection: If there is reason to suspect that a child under the age of 16 is experiencing, or is at risk of, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse or neglect.
Elder/Dependent Abuse: If there is reason to suspect abuse or neglect of a resident living in an Ontario Long-Term Care Facility or Retirement Home.
Legal Subpoena: If a court of law issues a formal subpoena requiring us to release clinical files or provide testimony.
Professional Misconduct: If you share information indicating that another regulated health professional in Ontario has sexually abused or harassed a client, we are legally required to report this to their respective regulatory college (your identifying information is kept private in this scenario unless you give consent).
Your therapist will walk you through these boundaries in detail during your very first session so you know exactly how your privacy is protected before you begin deep styling your work together.

Question 14

How long are the sessions, and how often will I need to come?

Accepted Answer

Standard appointments at our practice are 50-55 minutes long by default, though the structure and options vary depending on the type of therapy you are receiving:Individual Adult & Mature Minors Therapy: Sessions are 50-55 minutes long.Couples Therapy: Standard appointments are booked as 50-minute sessions. However, many couples find it beneficial to have longer 75-minute sessions, especially at the very beginning to allow enough time to gather relationship context. If you feel a longer initial session would be helpful, this is something you can easily discuss with your therapist during your initial consultation.Therapy for Younger Children: While the appointment window is 50-55 minutes, the time can be split. The therapist will work directly with the child and may reserve a brief portion at the beginning or end to check in with parents, ensuring a collaborative approach to tools used at home.For all services, most clients begin with weekly or bi-weekly appointments to build steady momentum and trust. From there, we collaborate closely with you to adjust the frequency as you build your toolkit and feel more stable.

Question 15

What should I do if I have a concern or want to make a complaint?

Accepted Answer

We hold ourselves to high clinical standards and professional integrity, and your comfort, safety, and trust are our absolute priorities. If there is ever a time when you feel uncomfortable, misunderstood, or unsatisfied with your care, we warmly encourage you to share that feedback.You have a few different options for how to address a concern, depending on what feels safest and most comfortable for you:
Speak with your therapist: If you feel safe doing so, we encourage you to bring your concern directly to your Associate Therapist. They are trained to receive feedback openly, without defensiveness, and will collaborate with you to adjust their approach.
Contact our administration: If you prefer not to speak with your therapist directly, you can reach out to our Administrative Coordinator, Isabel Wackley, at info@charrontherapy.com. She can help document your feedback or help coordinate a change in your care.
Contact the Clinic Director: You are always welcome to bring your concerns directly to our founder and Clinic Director, Sofie Charron, RP at shccounselling@gmail.com. Sofie takes all feedback seriously and will work with you directly to review the situation, ensure compliance with clinical standards, and find an appropriate resolution.
Contact our regulatory body: As Registered Psychotherapists in Ontario, we are strictly governed by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). You always have the legal right to bypass internal practice channels entirely and file a formal inquiry or complaint directly with the CRPO by visiting their website.

Question 16

Can you provide a formal psychological assessment or ADHD diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

We do not provide psychological assessments or diagnostic testing. Formal psychological testing, assessments, or medical diagnoses fall outside the scope of psychotherapy. If you require a formal diagnostic report for school accommodations, we recommend seeking services from a psychologist, psychiatrist or your family doctor.

Question 17

What is the difference between a Psychotherapist, Psychologist, Social Worker, and Psychiatrist?

Accepted Answer

In Ontario, while all four of these professionals support mental health, they have different training, regulatory bodies, and scopes of practice. Here is a concise breakdown to help you understand who does what:Psychiatrist: A medical doctor (MD) who specializes in mental health. They are the only professionals on this list who can prescribe medication and manage the medical side of mental health conditions. Their services are fully covered by OHIP.Psychologist: A regulated professional who typically holds a Ph.D. and specializes in human behavior and psychometric testing. They are legally authorized to perform formal psychological assessments and communicate a mental health diagnosis (such as ADHD, Autism, or PTSD). They provide therapy but do not prescribe medication.Registered Psychotherapist (RP): A professional specifically trained and regulated to provide clinical talk therapy. Their focus is entirely on the therapeutic relationship—helping you process emotions, explore behavioral patterns, and build practical coping tools for daily life. They do not diagnose or prescribe medication.Registered Social Worker (RSW): A professional trained to look at mental health through a systemic lens, examining how an individual interacts with their family, community, and social environment. Many RSWs provide clinical counseling and psychotherapy alongside navigating community resources.

Question 18

How do I know if my child/teen actually needs therapy, or if it’s "just a phase"?

Accepted Answer

It is completely normal for children and teens to experience emotional ups and downs as they grow. However, if you notice that changes in their mood, behavior, sleep, or school performance are lasting for more than a few weeks, or are starting to interfere with their daily life and family relationships, it can be incredibly helpful to seek outside support. Introducing therapy early gives them a safe space to process their feelings before small challenges become deeply ingrained patterns.

Question 19

Will I be told what my child/teen says in their sessions?

Accepted Answer

Trust and privacy are essential for therapy to work, especially for teens. In Ontario, if a minor demonstrates the maturity to understand the nature and risks of therapy, they have a right to confidentiality. This means we do not share the specific details of their sessions with parents without the minor’s permission, unless we are concerned about their safety or the safety of others. However, we do look for ways to bridge the gap, working with your teen to help them share general themes, progress, and tools with you so you can support them at home.

Question 20

What if my partner or youth refuses to come to therapy?

Accepted Answer

Therapy is an active, collaborative process, and voluntary participation is essential for it to be truly effective—we cannot force anyone to engage or open up if they aren't ready. However, it is incredibly common for a partner or teenager to feel nervous, skeptical, or defensive about coming in.Depending on the situation, we recommend a few different approaches:
For Partners: If your partner isn't ready to take that step, you can absolutely book individual therapy sessions for yourself instead. Working on your own patterns, boundaries, and communication can still introduce powerful, positive shifts into the broader relationship dynamic.
For Youth: We recommend framing the first session simply as a casual, no-pressure chat to see if they feel comfortable with the therapist, rather than a heavy, long-term commitment. We meet teens and kids exactly where they are—without forcing them to talk about things they aren't ready to share—and focus entirely on building genuine trust first.

Frequently asked questions

If you have any questions that haven’t been answered below, please feel free to reach out to our Administrative Coordinator at info@charrontherapy.com.